From the course: Creative Exercises to Spark Original Thinking

Creative catalysts for moving forward

From the course: Creative Exercises to Spark Original Thinking

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Creative catalysts for moving forward

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- How do you feel in front of a blank page if you need to write something, a white canvas if you want to paint, or an empty pantry when it's time to make dinner? I know the feeling of freezing when I'm trying to make something out of nothing. It can be incredibly daunting and many of us just can't find a way in. The longer we try, the harder it gets. I found that if I have a starting point, especially something abstract, I can often riff off of it to create something totally new. If I'm writing, it can be a phrase or a few descriptive words that I put down sort of stream of consciousness. If I'm cooking, it can be a particular spice or maybe one ingredient that puts the meal in motion. If I'm painting or drawing, sometimes, I lay down a random shape to break up the surface. It's so much easier when there's something to respond to, to push against, or have a conversation with instead of the dreaded void. (gentle music) Sometimes when I'm stuck, I like to look through the newspaper or a magazine and find an image that sparks me. It can be shapes or colors that just make me feel curious about the possibilities. I don't need to know where I'm going exactly. I rip or cut out the image and glue down maybe a few abstract sections. From here, I continue the picture, asking myself, what do these new shapes remind me of? How can I improvise ultimately filling the page? (gentle music) There's a new dialogue when I'm associating these somewhat random shapes. The next time you're facing the void, throw something in. Riffing off an abstract starting point can be a powerful catalyst for truly inventive directions.

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